Ngapuhi factions meet with Treaty of Waitangi Minister

From left: Te Kotahitanga co-leader Rudy Taylor, Minister Andrew Little, Te Kotahitanga co-leader Pita Tipene, Tuhoronuku chairman Hone Sadler (back), and Tuhoronuku deputy chairman Sonny Tau.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says he's keen to get the Ngapuhi settlement negotiations underway but it has to be on the right terms.

Mr Little met with Tuhoronuku - the group with the Crown recognised mandate to negotiate claims on behalf of Ngapuhi, and Te Kotahitanga - the group who opposed the Crown's recognition of that mandate, at Parliament in Wellington this weekend.

Mr Little said he was pleased with the tone of the discussions at the meetings on Saturday and Sunday.

"I considered the talks helpful and constructive. The Ngapuhi representatives will report back to the hapu and iwi on the issues discussed. Further discussions will take place shortly, after Easter," said Mr Little.

Where those discussions will take place has not yet been confirmed.

Mr Little said it was important to ensure negotiations were conducted in a way that was respectful of Ngapuhi and tikanga and said there was value in getting that right.

"I'm keen to get negotiations underway but it has to be on the right terms," he said.

Leaders of Te Kotahitanga and Tuhoronuku agreed they would not comment further to what Mr Little had said.

In November last year Mr Little held separate meetings with Tuhoronuku and Te Kotahitanga, and held an open hui at the Waitaha Hall in Waitangi which was also attended by Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

Following this Mr Little held six hui around Northland in December to listen to hapu views on the Ngapuhi Settlement.

He visited Kaeo, Ohaeawai, Moerewa, Omapere, Titoki and Whangarei.

"The message was that progress needs to be made, but on the right terms," Mr Little said.

A Ngaphui settlement could be worth around $500 million.